again; but he could not say whether she had gone away nor not.

This announcement rather disturbed the major's equanimity for a moment; but for a moment only. His reliance on Margaret was implicit. He knew that General Washington was out of the city, and therefore Patsy could not have seen him, and he entered his office with as much unconcern as he had left it.

He was surprised to find Patsy seated there, awaiting his return, and on this occasion he greeted her with more than his usual warmth. In this, perhaps, he was actuated by the consciousness that Margaret was not in the house; perhaps by the remembrance of the past, for that Patsy loved him, he had abundant reason to know.

He therefore hastened up to her with extended hand, and, assuming an expression of pleasure which was but partially felt, he offered to salute her; but she repelled him, not coldly, but with a dignity and grace of manner which fairly overawed him; for it showed that she had read him.

“ "Well, Patsy," he said, seating himself with an air of apparent nonchalance, "this is the first time you ever refused me a kiss. Who has won you from me?”

He spoke in a tone of half serious gallantry, which cut the young girl to the quick, and her only reply was a look which sent the hot blood mounting to his cheeks, for he interpreted it rightly.

Well knowing that a further continuance of this conversation would only insure defeat to himself, he said, assuming an official air: "Well, Patsy, what now? What has happened ?"

"Nothing, Major Burr, only I find a chance of riding home to-night; so I thought I would stop and ask if you had seen General Washington yet ?”

"He is over on Long Island, Patsy, examining the works, but will be home about six o'clock. I shall see him the moment he returns, and communicate to him the important information you have brought, and I shall not forget to tell him to whom the whole country is so deeply indebted."

“Thank you, major. I am sure you are as deeply interested as I am in the success of our glorious cause, and I am happy that I had the good fortune to find you, since he is away; for the delay of a single day might lead to disastrous results. Major Burr, will you pardon me if I say something that does not properly concern me ?" Patsy continued, hesitating, and a slight blush tinging her cheek.

"You cannot say anything, Patsy, requiring pardon from me or any one else. I hope it is something in which I may serve you."

"I took the liberty once of cautioning you against Miss Moncrieffe. Pardon me, major," she said, seeing that he was about to interrupt her, "not on my own account, but for my country's sake; and as I know

that you are as warmly devoted to its interests as myself; I say now, I believe she is the woman to whom Seth alludes. If I had seen General Washington, I should have told him so myself. You know best whether you have seen anything to justify the suspicion of which I cannot divest myself."

'Indeed, Patsy," said the young officer, coloring to the very temples, "I think you are entirely mistaken." "Of course, I am aware that you think so," and she spoke with an emphasis whose meaning he could not misinterpret. "But," she continued, "Seth bade me see you. He, as well as myself, knows your devotion to your country, and God grant that my humble services may'

"They will be appreciated, dear Patsy," exclaimed Major Burr, interrupting her, and anticipating, as he thought, her words; but she checked him, saying:

"You misunderstand me, major. I was going to say, I hoped my humble services would prove of some value to my country and to our beloved general. Good day, major," and she moved toward the door, with a face as pale as marble and eyes moistened with tears; for the bitter disappointment she had experienced on her first meeting with him to whom her heart was given, and who had sought her love-the certainty that Margaret had won his heart from herhad struck a blow to her very soul, from which she felt she could never recover.

"Patsy-dear Patsy !" exclaimed the major, springing forward; but again he met that look, and recoiled from it much further than he would have done from a frowning battery. In another moment he was alone with his own thoughts, and Patsy, brushing away the tears which had gathered in her eyes, and choking down the rising sob, left the house and proceeded to the ferry-boat. As she entered it, she gave one lingering look at the house, which contained all she held dear on earth, then, with a smothered sigh, seated her self in the stern-sheets, and during the entire passage dared not trust herself with another look.

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE ROYALISTS IN DANGER.

As may be supposed, the reflections of Major Burr, after the departure of Patsy, were not of the most pleasant character. He felt keenly the rebukes conveyed by her words, though, of course, none were intended by her, as she could not possibly be cognizant of his contemplated treason; and each time that she had alluded to his love for and devotion to his country, a pang shot through his heart; for he could not but reflect that he had consented to array himself with its enemies.

But his mad, blind, passionate love for Margaret had swallowed up every other feeling, and perhaps, there may be some readers who may find a partial excuse for him in his youth, his inexperience, and the invincible power of the little god, who, from the days of Adam and Eve, has ruled the world; for, as Pope has most truly said of love—

"Kings he makes subjects, and meaner subjects kings."

He was engaged in the avocations of his office, and